EFFECT OF THE TREE GROWTH ON ACCUMULATION ORGANIC CARBON AND NUTRIENTS DYNAMICS IN SOIL UNDER MULTIPURPOSE TREE SYSTEMS

R. Shankar; K.Rajamani B. Joseph. K.B. Suneetha Devi; M.A.Aarifkhan

Volume : III, Issue : XI, November - 2014

EFFECT OF THE TREE GROWTH ON ACCUMULATION ORGANIC CARBON AND NUTRIENTS DYNAMICS IN SOIL UNDER MULTIPURPOSE TREE SYSTEMS

R. Shankar, K. Rajamani B. Joseph. K. B. Suneetha Devi, M. A. Aarifkhan

Abstract :

Many environmental benefits have been attributed to agroforestry system in various ecosystems around the world. However, there is a limited amount of information to evaluate organic carbon and nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium amount in the soil under multipurpose tree system in Andhra Pradesh. The results revealed that the soil organic carbon and nitrogen content were higher in Pongamia pinnata tree systems due to accumulation of plant residue, its decomposition, high N fixation rate, increased the availability of nutrients in the soil threw mineralization. Among the multipurpose tree system the phosphorus content under Dalbergia sissoo showed significantly higher over other land use system. Due to high plant residue and efficient nutrient recycling capacity the available potassium content under Acacia nilotica systems was high at three depths compared to the other systems. The organic carbon and major nutrient content decreased with increased depth significantly due to highest build–up of different nutrients on surface layers than other layers.